Three-dimensional therapy



March 21, 1961 L G WILLIAMS THREE-DIMENSIONAL THERAPY Filed Feb. 24. 1959 INVENTOR. L G WILLIAMS A TTORNEY nited Stat-es I The present invention relates generally to vibrational therapy, and more particularly to therapeutic devices capable of producing a three-dimensional massaging action. I

Various mechanical vibrational therapy or massage units are well known for the imparting of vibrations to the human body for the purpose of stimulating the flow of blood in a certain area and for the purpose of relaxing tired muscles. Such mechanical vibrators have heretofore been only capable of producing a two-dimensional or uni-planar massaging action. More specifically, only a localized planar-section of the body surface area, e.g., the bottom of the foot, can be vibrated or massaged at one time by means of conventional vibrational therapy units. In order to produce a three-dimensional massaging elfect, as for example over the entire surface area of the foot or over the entire surface of a limb, various complex and expensive hydro-therapy units or whirlpoo baths have been employed for therapeutic use. These hydro-therapy units have required high-speed, large volume flow pumps to circulate water at a sufiicient velocity to create turbulence in the bath with a resultant massage effect on the portions of the body immersed therein. Hydro-therapy units although being satisfactory as to the soothing and circulation promoting effects produced in their operation are hence disadvantageousfrom the standpoint of the complex and expensive pumping and recirculating apparatus required therein as well as the relatively large power requirements for operation.

The present invention overcomes the foregoing limitations and disadvantages of prior therapy devices by providing a three-dimensional vibrational therapy device which produces a health promoting stimulating massage action upon entire portions of the body and which is vastly more compact, simple, and inexpensive in its construction than units of the hydro-therapy type. To these ends, my three-dimensional therapy unit generally comprises a container containing a suitable three-dimensional transfer mediumfor vibrational impulses and means such as a mechanical vibrator for applying motivating vibrations to the medium whereby the vibrating medium is upon entire body portions immersed therein.

atctit O It is therefore an object of the present invention to A specific object of the invention is to provide a three- 1 dimensional vibrational impulse transfer medium into which feet or other portions of the human body may be immersed to derive a three-dimensional soothing massagaerate Patented Mar. 21, last ing efiect by the three-dimensional transfer action of vibrational impulses through the medium.

The invention both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood by reference to the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, of which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation view, partially in section, of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and,

Figure 2 is an end elevation view of this embodiment.

Considering now the invention in some detail and referring to the illustrated form thereof in the drawing, there is provided a three-dimensional therapy device in accordance with the present invention as specifically embodied'for use in the soothing massage treatment of tired aching feet. In addition, the preferred embodiment is adapted for employment with a detachable conventional domestic hand size local application vibratior as the motivating power impulse source. However, it will become apparent from the ensuing description that the invention is in no way limited to the specific details of the preferred embodiment and hence no limitations are intended nor are to be inferred therefrom.

More particularly, the three-dimensional therapy device of the present invention includes an open-topped container 11 which is constructed of suitable structural material, such as cardboard, thin sheet metal, wood, or the like, or more preferably of a plastic material such as polyethylene. The size and shape of container 11 and the specific structural details thereof may also vary considerably depending upon the specific therapeutic appli, cation for which the three-dimensional massage device is designed. In the preferred embodiment for foot massage treatment illustrated in the drawing, the open-topped container 11 is provided with four hollow supporting legs 12 and all legs and sides of the container are slightly angled to the vertical plane to facilitate ease of mold rejection in the fabrication of the container in a one piece plastic molding. In addition, the top edge of container 11 is preferably provided with an outwardly extending lip or rim 13 for added stability of construction and for purposes which are subsequently described.

Within container 11 is provided a three-dimensional medium as shown generally at 14 for the transfer and application of vibrational impulses over the entire surface of portions of the human body which may be immersed therein. The medium 14 accordingly fills the container 11 to a depth sufiicient that feet or other body portions can be conveniently completely immersed therein. Various materials may be satisfactorily employed as the medium 14; for example, solids particles or pellets preferably of oval shape and of organic or mineral origin, mixtures of various particles or pellets and water or other liquids, or plain water have been demonstrated in practice to effectively transfer vibrations as a pronounced three-dimensional massaging action to body portions immersed in the medium.

In order to impart vibrational impulses to the medium 14 contained within container 11 for three-dimensional transfer and application to body portions immersed therein, a suitable motivating source of power impulses is employed, for example, in contact with the container. Such source of motivating impulses may be applied in any vector direction or combination thereof and produce any desired magnitude of vibration. The source, alternatively, may be of a type which produces a rotational vibration. Moreover, the motivating source is best employed at one of the exterior side walls of container 11 or more preferably at the exterior bottom wall thereof. In this connection the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes means for the detachable connection of.

a conventional small domestic localized area hand vibrator 16 to the bottom of container 11, vibrator 16 being thereby removable from the three-dimensional bath of the present invention when desired for separate uniplanar application in the conventional manner. To this end, the attachment means preferably comprises a generally U-shaped strap 17 having a right angle projection 18 at one end for hooking over the rim 13 at one side of container 11 and a series of similar longitudinally spaced right angle projections 19 at the other end each for selective hooking over the rim at the opposite side of the container. More particularly, strap 17 with projection 18 hooked over the rim at one'side of container 11 extends downward externally adjacent such side and beneath the bottom of the container, then upward externally-adjacent the opposite side of same. The vibrator-16 is placed between strap 17 and the external bottom central area of container 11 with thestrap clinched tight to the nearest one of the grooves between projections 19 and such grooveis hand locked onto the rim 13. The strap 17 thus holds the vibrator 16 snugly against the bottomof the container 11 and the plurality of longitudinally spaced projections 19 permits a substantial variation in the overall size of the particular vibrator unit employed. Moreover, the strap 17 may be readily detached'from the container 11 and the vibrator 16 removed for use in other applications.

Considering now in more detail various materials which may be employed as the medium 14 for the three-dimensional transfer; of vibrational impulses generated by vibrator 16 to feet or other body portions immersed in the mediunrin accordance with the present invention, it will be recalled that solid particles, various mixtures of particles and ,water or other fluids, or a fluid alone may be satisfactorily employed as the medium 14. Where solid particles or-pellets' are employed as the three-dimensional transfer medium 14, it has been found that the most pronounced massaging action is produced by particles having a bulk density in a preferred range of from 0.50 to 1.00 gramsper cubic centimeter (3O to-60 pounds per cubic foot) and with a specific gravity in a preferred range of from 0.90 to 1.50 (relative to water of value 1.0) while being in a preferred sizerange of from A; inch to inch diameter. Hence, organic material such as vetch seeds which have an approximate /s'inch diameter particle size, bulk density of about 0.867 gram per cubic centimeter, and-specific gravity of 1.4 2,may-be-employed as the medium-14. Certain plastic pellets having properties within thepreferred ranges disclosedabove, 'however, aremore preferable for employment as the medium 14. For example, polyethylene pellets such as those known commercially as Tenite Polyethylene and manufactured by'Eastman Chemical Products of Kingsport, Tenn, are available in /s inch diameter size while having a bulk density of approximately 0.558 gram per cubic centimeter and a specific gravity of 0.917. These polyethylene pellets, as well as other particles having specific gravities at the lower end of the preferred specific gravity range, have been found particularly advantageous in practice for employmentas a solid particles medium in accordance with the present'invention, inasmuch as their specific gravity is less than that of water. Hence, the particles upon being soiled after extended use may be easily washed in soapy water with the dirt sinking into the water and the pellets floating on top of the water where they maybe readilyskimmed off and dried for further 're-use. The Tenite polyethylene'pellets are-further particularly desirable from the standpoint of eye appeal since'theyare available in a wide variety of colors.

As regardsthe'employmentof mixtures of solid'particles and water or other fluids as the three dimensional therapeutic transfer medium 14 of the present invention, it will be appreciated that hot or warm water, water and a suitable soap or'detergent, and the like may be added to solid particles to provide a 'me'diumwhich is capable "of producing a soothing massage from the particles while washing the inserted body portions and cleansing the pores at the same time. Although the various particles specifically mentioned hereinbefore may be utilized with water as a suitable mixture for employment as the medium 14, particles having densities somewhat greater than that of water are preferred in the water-particle mixture. One type of particles which satisfy the foregoing condition and are accordingly advantageous "for 'use in a particles-water mixture are inch diameter aluminum oxide spheres (catalyst support grade SA-203') as manufactured by Norton Companyis refractory in Worcester, Mass, which particles have a calculated bulk density of approximately 76"pounds per cubicfoot.

Optimum vibrational movement of the solid particles in a particleavater mixture is produced, however, where the particles have a density only slightly greater than that of water. Such particles may be'specially prepared, for example, by the incorporation of sand within-a matrix of polyethylene in the spherical particles of the bath mixture. The amount of sand incorporated with the polyethylene is determined such that the aggregate specific density of the final material is slightly greater than that of water. Alternatively, the particles may be prepared by coating Tenite polyethylene spheres with hot sand in a suitable amount to produce the-desired specific density. As an example ofa process for-coating the polyethylene spheres, a quantity of sand is first heated'to a temperature of between 300 to 350 F. 'A quantity-of polyethylene spheres are then added to the hot sand and the mixture stirred until the spheres are thoroughly coated with the 'hot sand. A slight pressure on the spheres is necessary to obtain a firm adherance of the sand to the-surface of the spheres. The mixture is next poured'into a-suitable (e.g., 10 mesh) Wire strainer-receiver immersed in'cold water with the "waterthereby quenchingtheheat of the 'mixturean'd the unused sand sifted through the strainer. The remaining coated spheres in the strainer'are then available for employment in a particle-water mixture as ther'medium '14-of the present invention. I

In addition to the solid particles andparticle-water mixtures of previous mention, it .hasbeen found that plain Water or-other fiuids alone are suitable for employment as the three-dimensional massage medium '14 of themesent invention. With Water as the medium, a hydrotherapy unit is hence provided which isparticularIy'a'dvantageousfrom the standpoints of-low origirial-costand economy of operation compared to existing'circulatory pump type hydro-therapy units.

With the three-dimensional therapy bath of the. present invention constructed as hereinbefore describedand-illustrated in the drawing, the bath'is placed into operation by energizing the vibrator 16 with electrical power. Upon plugging the vibrator into an electrical outlet and turning on the switch, the vibrational impulses of the vibrator are transferredthrough container 11' to the threedimensional transfer medium'14 contained therein. Where solid particles are employed as the medium, such particles responsively undergo a spinning vibrational dance motion. Similarly, with a mixture-of solid'particles and water used as medium 14, vibrational movement is imparted to the particles and in addition a continuous-ripple wave movement is produced on the surface of the water. Where plain water isemployed as medium 14, the vibrational impulses of vibrator 16 set upvibrational forces within the water and a continuous wave motion at the surface thereof. I The vibrational motion or forces of the medium 1=4,'of whatever specifictype-employed, is in turn applied three-dimensionally 'overthe entire surface of the tired, aching feet or other bod'ypo'rtions of a'user immersed in the medium. The resulting vigorous'massage action upon the immersed portions produces 'l'a very definite soothing sensation-and sti'mnlatio'n of circulation in the portionsto therebyre'lieveand relaxsame.

While the present invention has been described with respect to a single preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that numerous modifications and variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention and thus it is not intended to limit the invention except by the terms of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A vibrational therapy device comprising an opentopped container having vertical legs for supporting same in an elevated position, said container having an outwardly extending rim at the top edge thereof, a quantity of generally spherical solid particles disposed within said container and having a bulk density in a range of from 0.50 to 1.00 gram per cubic centimeter, a specific gravity relative to water in a range of from 0.90 to 1.50, and a diameter in a range of from approximately M; to V; inch, a localized area electric hand vibrator disposed externally in contact with the bottom of said container, anda substantially U-shaped strap having a right angle projection at one end and a series of longitudinally spaced right angle projections at the other end thereof, said projection hooked over said rim at one side of the container with the strap extending downwardly beneath said vibrator and upwardly to said rim at the opposite side of the container, one of said series of projections hooked over said rim to releasably cinch said vibrator snugly against the bottom of said container.

2. A vibrational therapy device comprising an opentopped water-tight container having vertical legs for supporting same in an elevated position, said container having an outwardly extending rim at the top edge thereof, a mixture of water and solid substantially spherical particles of about 3 8 to 3 inch diameter having a density greater than and approaching that of water disposed within said container, a localized area electric hand vibrator disposed externally in contact with the bottom of said container, and a substantially U-shaped strap having a right angle projection at one end and a series of longitudinally spaced right angle projections at the other end thereof, said projection hooked over said rim at one side of the container with the strap extending downwardly beneath said vibrator and upwardly to said rim at the opposite side of the container, one of said series of projections hooked over said rim to releasably cinch said vibrator snugly against the bottom of said'container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 742,287 Casper Oct. 27, 1903 2,724,393 Heise Nov. 22, 1955 2,904,037 Cassidy Sept. 15, 1959 2,875,989 Toulmin Mar. 3, 1959 

